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Editorial
November 25, 1789
Gazette Of The United States
New York, New York County, New York
What is this article about?
An editorial defending liberty of the press, arguing that unpunishable 'crimes' should be addressed by laws if criminal, or by general satire targeting vices rather than individuals, to ensure broad and perpetual effects without personal attacks.
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OCR Quality
95%
Excellent
Full Text
LIBERTY OF THE PRESS.
It is said, "There are crimes not cognizable in
Courts of Justice. Are not these fair game?"
If they are crimes, let laws be made to punish them.
If they do not merit this name, and are only foibles. I still deny the right to attack an individual
on account of them. Foibles which do not amount
to crimes are the proper objects of Satire and the
Drama. But let us "spare the person and expose
the vice." Most satirists have fallen into the error
of attacking the agent and not the act. This
entirely frustrates the end of satire. It should be
general, not local. What applies to one only can
extend its effects to him alone. But when a vice
or folly is depicted in proper colors, the satire
will apply equally to all persons who are guilty
of it, and its effects be perpetual.
It is said, "There are crimes not cognizable in
Courts of Justice. Are not these fair game?"
If they are crimes, let laws be made to punish them.
If they do not merit this name, and are only foibles. I still deny the right to attack an individual
on account of them. Foibles which do not amount
to crimes are the proper objects of Satire and the
Drama. But let us "spare the person and expose
the vice." Most satirists have fallen into the error
of attacking the agent and not the act. This
entirely frustrates the end of satire. It should be
general, not local. What applies to one only can
extend its effects to him alone. But when a vice
or folly is depicted in proper colors, the satire
will apply equally to all persons who are guilty
of it, and its effects be perpetual.
What sub-type of article is it?
Press Freedom
Satire
What keywords are associated?
Press Liberty
Satire
Personal Attacks
General Vice
Foibles
Crimes
Laws
Editorial Details
Primary Topic
Defense Of Press Liberty Via General Satire
Stance / Tone
Advocacy For Impersonal, General Satire
Key Arguments
Crimes Not Addressed By Courts Should Be Punished By Laws If Truly Criminal.
Foibles Merit Satire Or Drama, Not Personal Attacks.
Satire Should Spare The Person And Expose The Vice.
Most Satirists Err By Attacking The Agent, Not The Act, Frustrating Satire's Purpose.
Satire Must Be General, Not Local, To Have Broad, Perpetual Effects.